Organizers Get Ready for Carolina Cup

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Camden , S.C. (WOLO) — Organizers are gearing up on Friday for Carolina Cup this weekend. The 83rd Steeplechase race is set for Saturday at Springdale Race Course. Spring is here and that means sundresses, bow ties and of course Carolina Cup in Camden. “It’s great to see the horses, and all the people that come from all across the United States to come see this great event,” said Julian Burns, Chairman of Kershaw County Council. Organizers say they are expecting the popular horse race to draw at least 50,000 people to the Springdale race course. “It’s more of that same old southern hospitality fun and frolics in the infield while we watch the races,” said Don Terrell, Board Member of the Carolina Cup Racing Association. “It’s an absolutely beautiful day, it’s a family day, it’s a great day to come and party and relax.” With storm clouds hanging over the course Friday, the National Weather Service predicts a race day full of sunshine. “I think tomorrow we should expect a pretty good crowd because the weather looks gorgeous, I think it’ll be a really nice day,” said Terrell. Aside from the race itself, Carolina Cup draws people each year for entertainment and socializing. However, law enforcement officials are reminding people who may be drinking to be responsible. “We’re ramping up big time, we’re gonna have as many as three times more deputies out there than we’ve had in the past,” said Kershaw County Sheriff, Jim Matthews. Matthews says they will be on the look out for drunk drivers before and after the race. “We’re profiling erratic drivers,” explains Sheriff Matthews. “So if you happen to be a college kid, too bad; if you happen to be an adult, too bad. We really have a low tolerance in the county for drunk driving.” He reminds people to designate a driver to be safe. The first race begins at 1:30 pm Saturday.